Geoenvironmental reconstruction of the Tufia paleo-dunefield Gran Canaria

Abstract

The study attempts to investigate the stratigraphic, sedimentological, mineralogical, petrographic, geochemical, grain size analysis and fossil identification on the Tufia paleo-dunefield located in the southern coast of the municipality of Telde (East of Gran Canaria). Three sites were selected: Aguadulce beach, Punta de Malagato and La Botonera. It has made possible the definition of the geoenvironmental facies and a stratigraphic correlation, allowing the elaboration of the geoenvironmental reconstruction of Tufia area. Before the paleo-dunefield establishment, a cycle sequence of beachpaleosols has been observed. The Tufia paleo-dunefield present two episodes of construction separated by a red-paleosol. Comparing these reddish paleosols with one studied in Ingenio, the paleo-dunefield above the red paleosol might be younger than 1.46 Ma and the paleo-dunefield below the reddish paleosol might be older than 2.3 Ma.